Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
Table of Contents
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2009, 23.5 million people in the United States required treatment for substance abuse issues. However, only 2.6 million people, a mere 11.2 percent, ever ended up getting the help they needed.
If you’re one of the many who has never been to substance abuse treatment, there’s no reason to put it off any longer. Take a step towards getting your life back by learning all about how substance abuse treatment works.
Effective Substance Abuse Treatment at Dana Point Rehab Campus
There are several principles of effective treatment that all reputable treatment facilities should follow. The main tenets of good treatment include:
- Understanding that no single treatment works for everyone.
- Thinking of addiction as a disease, not a choice.
- Combining numerous therapies, medications, and other treatments for a personalized plan of care.
- Providing services beyond detox to combat the mental and emotional side of addiction.
- Regularly reviewing your plan of care to make sure it’s meeting your needs.
Types of Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
Generally, there are several different programs you can choose from when receiving care for your substance abuse. These include:
- Detox. Detox is usually the first step in treatment, as it’s the process of weaning yourself off of your substance of choice in a medical environment. Doctors will be on hand to monitor your progress, watch for signs of life-threatening complications, and provide you with medications to ease your symptoms.
- Inpatient/residential care. With residential care, you’ll live at the facility for a period of time as you receive your care. This provides a safe and stable environment where you can get used to a life without drugs or alcohol. Your days will be spent in therapy or learning the skills you need to stay sober.
- Partial hospitalization. Partial hospitalization programs allow you to live at home, but you’ll spend the majority of your time getting treatment at the facility. Most programs are at least five days a week and several hours a day, which ensures you have enough time to talk through your issues and learn the techniques you need to get better.
- Intensive outpatient. Intensive outpatient programs are a step down from partial hospitalization, as you’ll spend even less time in treatment. These programs are a good stepping stone for those making the transition to outpatient care, as they give you a chance to return to your job or schoolwork on a part-time basis.
- Outpatient. Outpatient care is the least structured, and you’ll receive therapy just a couple times a week. Outpatient works great as aftercare for the most intensive programs, and it provides you the freedom to return to work or school full time.
Therapies Used in Substance Abuse Treatment
Most treatment programs use a mix of therapies to provide you with comprehensive assistance in recovery. Some of these therapies might include:
- Individual counseling. This is when you’ll work one-on-one with a therapist to talk about your issues.
- Group counseling. This is when you’ll talk about substance abuse issues with a group of your peers.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy. This works to identify and alter the patterns of thinking that lead to substance abuse.
- Family therapy. This involves therapy sessions with your family members to repair broken relationships.
- Motivational interviewing. This is when you’ll identify some goals for the future.
- Motivational incentives. This is when you are rewarded for staying clean.
Overall, no substance abuse program is perfect, which is why you need to take the time to find the treatment that’s right for you. Always consider a program that offers customized plans of care, as this means you’ll receive the individualized attention you need to get better.
Sources:
https://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/drugfacts_treatmentstats.pdf
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction
